Political parties split over Imran’s call for protest

LAHORE/SUKKUR: The political parties of the country are split over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s call for a protest against alleged rigging in the last year’s general elections. Leader of opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah said on Sunday that his party would not participate in PTI’s protest against the Nawaz government. Talking to newsmen in Sukkur, he said the PPP leadership has not been contacted by the PTI regarding its planned protest demonstration on May 11. He said Imran Khan’s agenda looks different from that of the PPP.Meanwhile, former prime minister and PPP leader Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that he had previously told Imran Khan about plotters of rigging in the May 11 general elections. According to a private TV channel, Gilani endorsed Imran’s allegations of rigging in the May 11, 2013 general elections. He said institutions must work within their domains, otherwise there would be clashes among them. Gilani said all stakeholders must realise their responsibilities and work on hammering out a solution to the problems.Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Ahmed Sherpao has called the PTI chief a politically ignorant person. Talking to a private news channel on Sunday, Sherpao said Imran Khan was “crying” to hide his failure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said Imran’s rigging allegations one year after the elections were illogical. He said statements of Imran Khan showed his political immatureness. Sherpao alleged that the PTI chief wanted to sabotage the peace dialogue.Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said on Sunday that “Dhandli Khan”, referring to Imran Khan, and Tahirul Qadri would not succeed in any conspiracy against democracy. Talking to media persons, Sanaullah said that the mission of both Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri is nothing but to create chaos and lawlessness. He questioned what has Imran Khan done for the betterment of people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sanaullah said people would foil Imran’s “conspiracy” against democracy. He said the PTI has no future in politics and would not be able to get its candidate elected in the upcoming local government election.Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Central Information Secretary Shireen Mazari on Sunday asked the opposition leader in National Assembly, Khursheed Shah not to give suggestions to her party about democracy. Responding to Shah’s statement, Mazari said the PTI would not do anything to derail the democratic process in the country. She said her party believes in freedom of press and therefore it does not need anyone’s proposals in this regard. Mazari asked other parties to mend their own ways before pointing fingers at others.